Flexible metallic strap



Nov. 11,1930. \N.FORSTNER --1,7s1,379

FLEXIBLE METALLIC STRAP Filed Dec. 20, 1928 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM FORSTNER, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO FORSTNEB CHAIN CORPORATION, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY FLEXIBLE METALLTC STRAP Application filed December 2c, 1928. Serial No. 327,305.

This invention relates to ornamental metallic mesh bands used for belts, bracelets, wrist watch straps, etc., and has as one of its objects to provide a device of unusual beauty 5 and durability.

Such straps must be freely flexible longitudinally in order to conform to the part on which they are applied, and the base or longitudinally extending element is ordinarily composed of a fine mesh woven wire strip of suitable length and width.

Heretofore, to prevent the fraying out of the edges of these mesh bands it has been the custom to solder together the points of each pair of wires, which process is tedious, time consuming, and expensive, and at best a band with such soldered edges is fragile and liable V to be damaged if the said edges receive any rough treatment or come in contact with resistant surfaces or articles. If the soldered edges are damaged the band will fray making necessary constant repairs or the discarding of the whole band.

It is therefore a feature of the present in vention to provide a series of ornamental guards covering both edges of the mesh trap, completely precluding loosening or unravelling of the mesh and avoiding the disadvantages hitherto encountered.

Another object is in the provision of an attractive type of guard, permitting the mesh to be seen through openings between adjacent guards, and which may be ornamented or colored in various designs, by which the strap is rendered highly attractive.

These important objects are attained by the simple and practical design, construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure, and in which: a

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of a mesh strap as made in accordance with the invention.

FigureQ is a transverse sectional view of 'the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the guard elements in detail.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the guard in its blank form.

The blank, as indicated in Figure 4c, consists of a thin metal strip, essentially an elongated parallelogram in profile, its central bar portion 10 being reduced in width equally at both side edges from the end portions 11, which preferably may have slightly rounded corners as indicated.

The second stage of the blank is clearly shown in Figure 3, in which the ends 11 are bent re-entrantly to form clips 12, spaces 13 intervening the under sides of the clips and adjacent surface of the bar 10.

The woven wire mesh band 14, which may be made of any precious or semi-precious metal, or plated as preferred, is of a uniform width and adapted to receive a series of the guards 10, which are strung on the strap in such manner that the side edges of ends 11 are in intimate contact and held by reason of the clips 12 as disposed on the opposite or inner side of the strip.

It will now be seen that the reduced side edges of the guards, when placed side by side on the strap, produce spaced openings 15 through which the strap appears.

The windows 15, through which the mesh is visible, provide a contrasting background for the members 10, making them appear as panels, which in turn form an appropriate foreground for the windows. Tne windows also allow a circulation of air, thus providing ventilation.

It should also be noted that this mesh band can be worn either with the guards 10 on the outward visible side or with the reverse side showing.

The clamp 16 shown at the end of the band may be utilized for attachment to the buckle of the wrist watch.

It will be clearly apparent that the guards may be colored or finished on their exposed faces in any suitable design, and itis particularly noticeable that the entire longitudinal edges of the mesh strap are contained within the spaces 13 of the guards, thus rendering soldering unnecessary and positively preventing fraying of the edges.

Altho the foregoing is descriptive of the preferred embodimentof the invention, it will be understood that changes may be resorted to Within the spirit of the invention as claimed. Having thus described the invention'and set forth the manner of its construction and application, What is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent, is:

An ornamentalmetallic strap comprising a band of Wire mesh in combination With a plurality of panel-'forming substantially flat 10 plates, theopposite ends of the plates being bent over and around both edges of the Wire mesh band, While the intermediate portions of the plates are cut away so that successiVe pairs of adjacent cut-away portions form a row of Windows through Which the mesh of the'band is Visible, for producing a contrasting effect With the panel-forming plates.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto affixed my signature. p 0 WILLIAM FORSTNER.,- 

